Team overview
Surprisingly, for a nation that has tasted success on the international stage on a consistent basis down the years, Germany have never triumphed at U21 level.
East Germany (1978 and 1980) and West Germany (1982) did compete in three consecutive finals, but were forced to settle for second place on each occasion.
A united nation has failed to reach that stage in the intervening years, failing to even qualify two years ago in Holland.
The noises coming out of Germany suggest this could be their time, but they will know that history is not on their side.
How they qualified
Germany ripped through their qualification campaign, suffering only one shock defeat in Moldova along the way.
Their razor-sharp strike force claimed 24 goals in eight matches, although that total was largely helped by a 13-0 aggregate scoreline in their two games against whipping boys Luxembourg.
They conceded only three goals, keeping clean sheets on six occasions, and headed into the play-offs as the winners of Group 9.
A tough contest against France saw them pushed to their limits, before they ultimately prevailed 2-1 over the course of two legs thanks to a last minute effort from Benedikt Howedes.
Coach - Horst Hrubesch
Hrubsch has been an integral part of the Germany international set-up for nine years.
His finest hour within the DFB ranks came in 2008 as he guided his U19 side to European Championship glory.
He will be hoping to repeat that feat this summer, having accepted the role as caretaker coach with the U21s for the trip to Sweden.
Hrubsch is set to step down from his post, and return to the U19 side, on 1st July and he will want to do so with a winners' medal in his pocket.
One to watch - Mesut Ozil
Germany will look to Werder Bremen ace Ozil to make things tick in the middle of the park.
The temperamental 20-year-old is an attacking playmaker with an eye for the extravagant, but can be virtually unplayable on his day.
His decision to commit his international future to Germany rather than Turkey caused controversy, but Ozil insists he owes more to the land of his birth than he does to that of his parents.
He has already featured for Joachim Low's senior side and will be hoping to step into the departed Diego's boots as Bremen's talisman next term.
Why they'll win it
German efficiency is legendary and they have a useful knack of finding their way to the latter stages of major tournaments.
Expect more of the same this time around, although they will face a tough task to get out of a group which includes England and Spain.
How they handle those fixtures will go a long way to determining whether or not they will be getting their hands on some silverware come 29th June.
The depth, and experience, within their squad suggests they should not be ruled out and the Germans would like nothing more than to send England crashing out on their way to the title.
Why they won't
As mentioned, they do find themselves in the toughest of the two groups and will need to be at their very best to reach the knockout stages.
Dropped points against England and Spain could prove costly and would likely see their wait for U21 success continue.
They also lack an out-and-out target man, who can help to hold the ball up for the creative midfield influences, while any injuries to their first-choice back four could see them struggle.
With the standard so high at this year's event, those deficiencies could be punished in unforgiving fashion and Germany must ensure their house is in order before the games commence.
